Phlox plant named ‘Barsixtyone’

ABSTRACT

A new  Phlox paniculata  plant particularly distinguished by violet inflorescences and a vigorous growth habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phlox paniculata.

Variety denomination: ‘Barsixtyone’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar botanically known as Phlox paniculata, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘Barsixtyone’. The new variety originated from a crossing made in 2005 in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The female parent was the proprietary Phlox paniculata plant ‘02.44.11.02p’ (unpatented), while the male parent was the proprietary Phlox paniculata plant ‘01.44.04.01’ (unpatented).

‘Barsixtyone’ was first propagated by vegetative cuttings in 2006 in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands and has been subsequently asexually propagated by vegetative cuttings in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands since 2006. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands.

-   -   1. Violet inflorescences; and     -   2. A vigorous growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This Phlox paniculata plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the inflorescence.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Barsixtyone’. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The plant history was taken on six month old plants that were grown indoors without the use of artificial light and were grown in large crates of six plants each with approximately 50 pounds of peat per crate and with a growing period between May and September. The plants were pinched once at two to three weeks after planting and their stems were harvested regularly. Color readings were taken under natural light outdoors. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Polemoniaceae.         -   Botanical name.—Phlox paniculata.         -   Common name.—Phlox.         -   Denomination.—‘Barsixtyone’. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Vigorous.         -   Form.—Narrow, bushy.         -   Height (measured from the top of the soil).—35.0 cm to 45.0             cm.         -   Diameter or area of spread.—30.0 cm.         -   Propagation.—Via vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—4 months.         -   Lastingness of inflorescence on the plant.—4 weeks.         -   Outdoor plant performance.—Very good.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—2 weeks.         -   Time to produce rooted cutting or liner (young plant).—5             weeks.         -   Root description.—White, fibrous. -   Branches:     -   -   Number of branches per plant.—5.         -   Length of lateral branches.—35.0 cm to 45.0 cm.         -   Diameter of lateral branches.—15.0 cm. -   Stems:     -   -   Shape in cross-section.—Circular.         -   Aspect.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS 143C.         -   Diameter.—5.0 to 8.0 mm.         -   Stem length.—40.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—3.0 to 4.0 cm.         -   Anthocyanin.—Present — RHS 187A.         -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Leaves:     -   -   Color (both mature and immature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS             137A. Lower surface: RHS 137A.         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Quantity of leaves (per lateral branch).—26 to 30.         -   Apex.—Accute.         -   Base.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Length: 10.0 cm. Width: 4.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Pubescence (both upper and lower surfaces).—Absent.         -   Venation.—Type: Feather-like. Color: RHS 144B.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Petiole.—Color: RHS 144B. Length: 4.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—20.0 cm. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Cyme, single flower; self-cleaning.         -   Arrangement.—Terminal and lateral.         -   Blooming habit.—Pyramid to globe-shaped panicle.         -   Height.—15.0 cm.         -   Width.—15.0 cm.         -   Fragrance.—Present.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Greater than 100. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Color: RHS 86A. Shape: Oblong. Size: Length:             2.0 cm. Diameter: 6.0 mm.         -   Pedicel.—Color: RHS 138C. Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm.             Texture: Smooth.         -   Calyx.—Shape: Funnel. Length: 15.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm.             Sepals: Arrangement: Single whorl. Number: 5. Shape: Narrow             triangular. Apex: Pointed. Base: Fused. Margin: Smooth.             Size: Length: 12.0 mm. Width: 1.0 to 2.0 mm. Color (mature,             both upper and lower surfaces): RHS 147A. Color (immature,             both upper and lower surfaces): RHS 143C.         -   Corolla.—Shape: Circular. Length: 2.0 cm. Diameter: 2.5 cm.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Single whorl. Shape: Rotundate to             cuspidate. Number (per flower): 5. Size: Length (from the             throat): 1.0 cm. Width: 1.0 cm. Apex: Obcordate. Base:             Fused. Margin: Smooth. Color (when opening): Upper surface:             RHS 84A. Lower surface: RHS 86B. Color (fully opened): Upper             surface: RHS 84A. Lower surface: RHS 86B. Petal pubescence             (both surfaces): Absent. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity (per flower): 5. Filament: Length:             20.0 mm. Color: RHS 137B. Anther: Shape: linear. Length:             0.2 cm. Color: RHS 158A. Pollen: Amount: Slight. Color: RHS             158A.         -   Pistil.—Quantity: 1 per flower. Size: Length: 20.0 mm.             Width: 0.2 mm. Color: RHS 137B. Style: Length: 20.0 mm.             Color: RHS 143C. Stigma: Shape: 3 lobes. Color: RHS 143D.             Ovary: Color: RHS 143A. -   Disease and insect resistance: None observed

COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL VARIETY

‘Barsixtyone’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Barthirtyone’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,218) in that ‘Barsixtyone’ has RHS 84A and 86B petals when fully opened, whereas ‘Barthirtyone’ has RHS 88C and RHS 88D petals when fully opened. Additionally, ‘Barsixtyone’ has rotundate to cuspidate shaped petals and the apex of the sepals is pointed, whereas ‘Barthirtyone’ has ovately shaped petals and the apex of the sepals is acuminate. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Phlox paniculata plant as described and shown herein. 